Caribbean Cooking Series “Taste the Islands” Goes U.S. Nationwide on Public Television Stations in April 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miami, Fla.- February 13, 2015 – Viewers of public television across the United States will be invited to savor the flavors of the Caribbean when, beginning in April 2015, they can “Taste the Islands with Chef Irie.” From preparing homemade spicy jerk seasoning to Latin inspired mussels chorizo in mango coconut sauce, Jamaican-born host Chef Irie will tantalize viewers with traditional and gourmet Caribbean recipes.

Programming nods from more than 130 public television stations around the country will make “Taste the Islands with Chef Irie,” a seven-part series, the first Caribbean cooking show and the first Jamaican-produced series to be aired nationally on the public television network.

In each episode of the series, Chef Irie will create mouthwatering fare inspired by his Jamaican upbringing, the wider Caribbean, and his travels around the world. For example, in one episode steamed Jamaican-style snapper is prepared en papillote, and in another, Latin guava cheese pasteles are deconstructed to create a mousse served in phyllo tart shells.

The show will also feature cameos by Caribbean celebrities including Inner Circle of “Bad Boys” fame; British reggae fusion singer, Maxi Priest, who topped US charts with hits like “I Just Wanna Be Close to You” and “Set the Night to Music” in the 1990s; Trinidadian Olympic sprinter turned NBC sports analyst Ato Boldon; and St Vincent’s “Turn Me On” hit-maker, Kevin Lyttle. During the course of each show, viewers can listen in as the chef and guests discuss food from their native countries, their travels, and impromptu cooking lessons he offers them.

Hugh “Chef Irie” Sinclair is a professional chef with a palpable love of creating delicious food. He holds degrees in both Architecture and Culinary Arts. His high profile clients include Macy’s, the Knight Foundation, and the Jamaican Jerk Festival franchise.

Fans of Caribbean cuisine can receive updates, view images, watch previews, and find recipes on the show’s website, www.tastetheislandstv.com.

Jamaican Consul General Franz Hall applauded Blondie Ras Productions, the production company behind the series, for their milestone achievement.

“It is with pleasure that I extend heartiest congratulations to you on your most recent accomplishment in bringing “Taste the Islands with Chef Irie”… to mainstream media,” said Hall.

The series is presented by South Florida’s WPBT2 and distributed by American Public Television (APT), distributors of popular public television programs including America’s Test Kitchen and Rick Steves’ Europe. Christopher Funkhouser, vice president of Exchange Programming and Multicast Services at APT, says, “Cooking is one of the most popular genres on public television and we expect audiences will respond enthusiastically to the new series.”

The Jamaica Tourist Board whose new slogan is “Home of All Right,” provided major funding for the show.

Popular media personality, Calibe Thompson of Blondie Ras Productions is the executive producer and director of “Taste the Islands”, working in collaboration with Caribbean television industry stalwart, Lukkee Chong of Frame by Frame Productions to bring the project to fruition. Thompson comments, “We’ve received such tremendous support from our community, and we’re proud to be bringing the best of our culture to a national platform.”

Blondie Ras Productions is a Miami-based video production company that creates Caribbean-inspired lifestyle content for an international audience appreciative of cultural diversity. The company seeks to become the preeminent source for Caribbean-related television content. Blondie Ras Productions is the company behind the “Taste the Islands,” “The Caribbean Diaspora Weekly,” “Miami Fitness TV,” and “Island Origins” television shows.

About APT
American Public Television (APT) has been a leading syndicator of high-quality, top-rated programming to the nation’s public television stations since 1961. For 10 years, APT has annually distributed one-third or more of the top 100 highest-rated public television titles in the U. S. Among its 300 new program titles per year, APT programs include prominent documentaries, news and current affairs programs, dramas, how-to programs, children’s series and classic movies. America’s Test Kitchen From Cook’s Illustrated, Rick Steves’ Europe, Live From the Artists Den, Doc Martin, Nightly Business Report, Midsomer Murders, Vera, NHK Newsline, Lidia’s Kitchen, Globe Trekker, Simply Ming, and P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home join numerous documentaries and performance programs popular with public television viewers. APT licenses programs internationally through its APT Worldwide service. Now in its 10th year, Create® TV — featuring the best of public television’s lifestyle programming — is distributed by APT. APT also distributes WORLD™, public television’s premier news, science and documentary channel. To find out more about APT’s programs and services, visit APTonline.org.

Contact:

Calibe Thompson
Blondie Ras Productions
417-812-5663
support@blondieras.com

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